The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
